On-Farm Feed Formulation and Manufacturing Training for Small and Medium-Scale Poultry and Swine Farmers in North Florida

Commodities

Practices

Florida's small and medium-scale poultry and swine farmers often
face significant challenges related to feed costs and dependency
on commercial feeds, which can be prohibitively expensive and not
always tailored to local needs. The proposed project aims to
address these challenges by providing essential training to
farmers, helping them become more self-sufficient, reduce
production costs to enhance the sustainability of their
operations. Through a comprehensive training program that
includes workshops, manuals, and online resources, farmers will
be exposed to practical, least-cost feed formulation and
manufacturing using conventional and locally-available feed
ingredients. Additionally, the project will focus on building a
feed ingredient database for lesser-known and under-utilized
feedstuff native to Florida. This database will serve as a
critical resource for computerized feed formulation training
sessions, enabling farmers to better understand the nutritional
value of local ingredients and how to incorporate them
effectively into feed formulations. This will also promote
computer literacy and modern agricultural practices among the
farmers. This educational project will specifically target
historically underserved small and medium-scale farmers in North
Florida and its immediate environs, many of whom practice
alternative farming systems with limited support. Since feed
accounts for over 70% of production cost, providing access to
knowledge and skills for on-farm feed formulation and production
will contribute to the long-term viability and resilience of
local farming communities, regardless of their scale or
background.

1. Develop and deliver a comprehensive training program on
   on-farm least-cost feed formulation and manufacturing.
2. Increase farmer knowledge and skills in creating balanced,
   cost-effective animal feeds.
3. Promote the adoption of sustainable feed production
   practices.
4. Evaluate the impact of the training on farmer practices and
   farm sustainability.